China intrudes into Ladakh, India says it’s no big deal

Chinese troops entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into Indian territory in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on July 31. Intruding Chinese soldiers painted boulders and rocks with red spray paint, writing the word ‘China’ in Cantonese, official sources said on Sunday, report Aurangzeb Naqshbandi and Nagendar Sharma. See popup

Chinese troops entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into Indian territory in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir on July 31. Intruding Chinese soldiers painted boulders and rocks with red spray paint, writing the word ‘China’ in Cantonese, official sources said on Sunday. See popup

The Ministry of Defence, however, sought to play down the reported border violation, saying such incidents take place “quite frequently” due to differences in perception regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi expressed surprise at media reports of the incursions. A press official from the embassy described the reports as "groundless and something which had not happened in either July or at any other time.”

“We are committed to seek a fair and mutually acceptable solution through a peaceful and friendly negotiation," the embassy official said.

A defence ministry official, who did not want to be named, said, “This (incursion) is not a major issue. Incursions or violations of airspace happen from both sides due to differences in perception over the LAC.

“Painting the boulders and rocks or leaving behind empty cigarette packets or juice cans are the telltale signs left by intruding troops,” he said.

There are intrusions from the Indian side as well. “This is due to the absence of a well defined border. We also go up to the LAC as we perceive it to be,” the official said.

There is no mutually agreed LAC between the two countries. India had proposed an early clarification on the issue but a response from the Chinese side is awaited.